Discovery Returning Wednesday; Pilots Beware

by ANN Managing Editor Rob Finfrock

As ANN reported elsewhere Tuesday, the space shuttle Discovery is scheduled to land early Wednesday afternoon... and it will be taking the scenic route, overflying the continental United States on a southeasterly heading from Canada to Florida.

What this means for pilots is restricted airspace... and a lot of it. At this writing, there are no fewer than 21 temporary flight restrictions (er, "Special Notices," in FAA-speak) in effect throughout various areas and various times Wednesday, covering the entire swath of US airspace Discovery is scheduled to fly over on its way home.

I'll be honest -- while I try my best during the week to stay ahead of the TFRs, and post them on the site for ANN readers... I'd rather not post 21 of them (not to mention, it's depressing to see more TFRs on the website than there are actual stories.)

So here's the deal... if you're planning to fly Wednesday over Montana, the Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama or Georgia -- and, of course, northern Florida -- I STRONGLY urge you to check out the FAA's TFR website, and plan your trip accordingly.

(Of course, we're all good pilots and do so anyway before getting in the cockpit... right? Especially as, apparently, you can't always trust FSS to give you that information during your pre-flight briefing...)

All shuttle landing TFRs are in effect from ground level, to "unlimited." Also keep in mind that, while forecasted conditions appear favorable for the earliest available landing opportunity just after 1300 EST, NASA also has the option to bring Discovery back later in the day.

(Landing track graphic courtesy of NASA)

FMI: www.tfr.faa.gov, Depicted TFR data may not be a complete listing. Pilots should not use the information on this website for flight planning purposes. For the latest information, call your local Flight Service Station at 1-800-WX-BRIEF.